Best Rugged Android Phone in 2019

More and more often, phones are being released with shiny glass backs, smooth metal frames, and other design elements to make them as attractive as can be. That's great if you prefer form over function, but what about if you're in the market for a smartphone that doesn't need to be babied nonstop? Here are the best rugged Android handsets we could find!

The Galaxy S8 Active certainly isn't the newest phone on our list, but it still powers through as one of the best rugged phones on the market. The 5.8-inch AMOLED display is simply amazing, a 4,000 mAh battery offers excellent battery life, and the 12MP camera is capable of some really great photos. Most importantly, it's shatter, water, and dust resistant.

You know the Caterpillar brand that makes construction equipment? That same company also makes Android phones, and the CAT S61 is its best yet. The S61 can be submerged in water up to 3 meters for 30 minutes, is protected against salt + sand, and is pressure resistant. It also comes with a thermal camera, laser-assisted distance measuring, and an indoor air quality monitor.

DOOGEE's recently been catching the attention of folks that want quality phones on a budget, and the S60 is currently its best rugged option. It's outfitted with IP68 dust/water resistance, a military-grade body, NFC for Google Pay, and even wireless charging. Plus, there's a monstrous 5,580 mAh battery and rear-mounted fingerpirnt sensor.

Similar to the Galaxy S8 Active, the Moto Z2 Force is another older phone that's still a solid choice if durability is your top priority. The Z2 Force definitely has the most traditional-looking body, but don't let that fool you. It has a speical kind of screen that's completely shatterproof, meaning that it won't break no matter how many times you drop or throw it.

If you've never heard of Blackview before, you'll definitely want to start paying attention to it. The company's BV6800 Pro is one of its latest phones, and boy, is it something. The BV6800 Pro is running Android Oreo out of the box, has a 5.7-inch 2160 x 1080 display, and a rugged body that's ready for anything. The best part? Its 6,580 mAh battery is one of the largest we've ever seen.

Want a Caterpillar phone but don't have the cash for the S61? The S41 is another great pick that drops a few features in favor of a much smaller price tag. The CAT S41 is equipped with waterproofing up to 2 meters for 60 minutes, shock and drop-proofing up to 6 feet, and Corning Gorilla Glass 5 that's resistant to even the worst of scratches.

Now that you know which rugged phones we recommend, which one is right for you? Although it's definitely not the newest phone on this list, the Samsung Galaxy S8 Active is still a great choice. A lot of the phones on this list are probably from companies you haven't heard of before, and while there's nothing inherently wrong with that, there's something comforting about buying from a brand you know and trust. If you are willing to expand your smartphone horizons, the BlackView BV6800 Pro is seriously impressive thanks to its rugged design, insanely huge battery, and affordable price.

Joe Maring

Joe is Android Central's News Editor and has had a love for anything with a screen and CPU since he can remember. He's been talking/writing about Android in one form or another since 2012, and often does so while camping out at the nearest coffee shop. Have a tip? Send an email to joe.maring@mobilenations.com!